5 Worry Free Options for Your Pet When You Go on Vacation

In the past, one of the biggest hindrances or obstacles that have prevented potential pet owners from purchasing a pet has been the question “What happens when I want to take a vacation?” We’ve all heard horror stories of pets who’ve been traumatized in kennels, but times have changed. In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 safe options that will allow pet owners to take vacations and even extended trips: pet sitters, boarding kennels, dog day cares, pet hotels, and pet-friendly hotels.

What To Do With Your Pet When You Take a Vacation?

1. Pet Sitters

What is a Pet Sitter?

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters website PetSitters.org identifies a professional pet sitter as someone who stays with your pet and ensures that they’re comfortable in your home or another comfortable environment. The site also offers professional certification and a career path. Believe it or not, pet sitters are professionals who fill a very necessary void. The site also provides information for sitters to develop their pet care skills and includes resources for professionals to network with one another.

How to Find a Pet Sitter

One of the easiest ways to find pet sitters is through a website like PetSitter.com. Petsitter.com connects people looking for pet care to a community of animal lovers looking for pet sitting jobs. There are both certified and non-certified pet sitters who will care for your pet with professionalism while you’re on vacation. This ensures that your trip is concern and worry free!

Consider Splitting The Cost!

Are you a busy parent with far too much on the go? If you want to simplify you home, child, and pet care options - you should consider hiring a nanny! Nannies will often take care of all of these chores and more. Now, if you’re worried about the cost, the solution is to set up a nanny share. By splitting the care services and associated price with another individual or set of parents, you’ll reduce costs and ensure your furry ones receive the love the deserve.

Our article, How to Find a Great Pet Sitter identifies ways in which you can identify the best sitter for you. The article recommends checking references and suggest that you invite your potential sitter to stay with your animal for a brief trial period so that you can ensure there is a good match with your beloved pet.

2. Boarding Kennels

What is a Boarding Kennel?

According to Wikipedia a boarding kennel “is a place where dogs or cats are housed temporarily for a fee, an alternative to using a pet sitter. Although many people worry about the stress placed on the animal by being put in an unfamiliar and most likely crowded environment, the majority of boarding kennels work to reduce stress”.

Are Pet Kennels Safe?

The Human Society website article, How to Choose a Boarding Kennel for Your Pet, discusses some reasons why we may consider a kennel. Watching after or caring for an animal requires patience, skills and knowledge that our friends and families may not necessarily have, despite their best intentions. The article identified some ways that a kennel may cause stress including:

Unfamiliar surroundings

Exposure to other pets whose bacteria and germs may affect your pet’s health

The stress of finding the right kennel

How to Find a Good Kennel

Despite the items of concern, here are some ways to find a good kennel:

Recommendations from your vet

Use a trusted website like PetSitter.com to find potential boarding kennels then

Check for valid license and certifications

Inspect the kennel — Is it clean and spacious?

In addition, you have to provide the kennel staff as much information as possible pertaining to your pet’s health and mental history so that they can provide adequate care.

3. Doggy Day Care

Believe it or not, your short vacation needs can be met with the assistance of a doggy day care.

What is a Doggy Day Care?

Wikipedia defines a dog dare care as a short-term kennel with amenities that most day care centers offer for children. In addition, the Wikipedia entry list the following attractive options:

Cage Free Environments

Indoor and Outdoor facility for pets to exercise

A dog daycare is probably an option for a short term vacation. What about an extended trip?

4. Pet Hotels

Believe it or not, there are pet hotels. These aren’t your regular boarding kennels.

What is a Pet Hotel?

Pet Hotels are high tech facilities offering luxury accommodations and services that provide your pet with their own vacation! Spoiling yourself? Why not spoil your
pet as well!

Pet Hotels amenities often include:

Dog Daycare

Dog Boarding

Spa

Dog Training

Live webcam monitoring

Deluxe suites

Leaving your pet in a hotel is great, but what about taking it with you?

5. Pet-Friendly Hotels

No need to leave your pet behind, take it with you on vacation!

What is a Pet-Friendly Hotel?

A pet-friendly hotel is simply a hotel that will let you bring along your dog or cat.

How to Find Pet-Friendly Hotels?

Dog and cat-friendly hotels are often difficult to find but some popular hotel chains such as Marriott offer accommodations for you and your pet.

Don’t Let Your Pet Stop You From Taking a Vacation

In the end, there are several options to consider when it comes to pet care and vacation. It will typically come down to personal choice and what you feel most comfortable with, but one thing is clear you don’t have to let your dog or cat get in the way of you having a great vacation.

If you are considering a safe and affordable option, PetSitter.com is a great solution. We have a comprehensive database which features many pet care options that typically fit most pet care needs when vacationing.

About the Author

Active in digital marketing since 2009, Craig is the SEO Manager at CareGuide in addition to teaching SEO at Durham College. Married with 2 young daughters, he is passionate about digital marketing, his family, the Philadelphia Eagles, fitness, Bruce Lee, audiobooks and an 80’s cult classic Motown meets Kung-fu film called The Last Dragon.